How to design a Care Home environment to support the caregivers?

Have you ever thought about how challenging it could be for caregivers to provide continuous care facilities? You would be shocked to know that in the UK, 79% of carers feel anxious, and 49% of the total number are depressed. A civilised society's responsibility is to offer a supportive work environment for carers. This blog will discuss how a supportive work environment can be created for caregivers in a care home facility. Burnout among the caregivers has become a common problem among healthcare workers. We must strive to create a work environment that utilises advanced design and technologies to support caregivers. We will discuss how we can ensure that they have access to a better facility to care for their mental and physical health.

What are the challenges faced by caregivers in UK care homes?

The continuous demand for caregivers in the UK makes the workplace environment challenging. Studies suggest that more than 80% of carers with poor mental health suffer from persistent low mood. Approximately 71% of carers feel like breaking down in tears due to immense work pressure. In such a highly challenging workspace, carers may feel relieved if they get better working facilities and a better working environment. To do so, planning needs to be in place from the beginning of the work. After all, healthcare workers' mental health is significant to take care of. It will help them perform better.

Why Design Matters: The Role of Physical Environment

Imagine providing a comfortable workplace for healthcare workers with a spacious rest area and a proper ventilation system. They can relax or freely talk with their colleagues in a safe environment. This would positively impact their psychology, motivating them to prepare for the challenges of the workplace. Hence, the design of a building or care home facility is very important. From the planning stage, the facility should be designed to develop a supporting environment for the caregivers. Studies also found that happy employees are more productive and perform better in their workplace. So, it is only logical to say that a healthworker-friendly work environment must be adopted to help them be more productive and happy. Now, let’s discuss some key design features to support caregivers in the UK.

Key Design Features That Support Caregivers

Who does not want a quiet resting place after a tiring work session? Caregivers especially need a well-ventilated place after what they go through in their work.

a) Dedicated Staff Areas

Modern workplaces focus on employee satisfaction. Offering a better work environment to employees has become a mainstream practice. Similarly, a better work environment can be provided for caregivers. A rest room or staff lounges can work excellently to give them the most desired break from work pressure. Taking a few breaks from work can help them rejuvenate themselves and focus more on providing care services. This needs to be a part of the building design from the start. Select a place for the staff lounge or rest room and construct the facilities accordingly.

b) Efficient Layouts and Workflow Design

Remember that the facilities are not far from the service area when designing the restroom or staff lounge. Otherwise, they might not even get the chance to take a break from work. The building design should maintain the staff's workflow. If the restrooms are near the service area, they can easily attend emergency calls even if they are in the restrooms. Similarly, the storage should be near the service area, best if it is centralised. Caregivers can easily access the storage facility to get what they need to care for the patients.

c) Technology Integration

Modern healthcare service utilises groundbreaking technologies for better care for patients. An advanced monitoring system lets healthcare workers monitor patients remotely. The automatic alert system also allows for quick intervention in critical conditions. Digital technologies help improve communication between staff and with patients. A seamless healthcare service is only possible with modern technologies. Utilising modern technological facilities, caregivers can offer seamless care services.

How practical is it for Care Home Developers?

Care home developers aim to offer care services that are unique and patient-focused. Caregivers are a crucial cog in the care service-providing system. If they are taken care of properly, they will provide value for the care service. Patients will be satisfied and will likely choose the facility over other options. Hence, taking care of care service providers is like investing in business growth. It is a significant investment that care home developers should consider with care. However, they should ensure that the design is budget-friendly.

Conclusion

Across the UK, caregivers suffer from mental pressure, anxiety and stress due to workload. To offer them a stress-free work environment, a staff lobby, rest room, and easy care home design can be implemented. If care home developers prioritise staff needs, their business will thrive. Patients will prefer the facility over others due to the excellent service quality by caregivers. If you are a care home developer planning to develop one, contact Care Home Builders ASAP.